A CERAMICS company has targeted emerging markets across the globe to continue expanding - and is searching for at least another 15 artists.

Craig Bragdy, based in Denbigh, is experiencing unprecedented global demand for its swimming pool designs.

The firm, which employs 80 people, exports virtually 100% of its work and has seen year on year growth despite the recent recession.

It has switched away from markets in the Middle East to target the growing economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China, known as the BRIC nations.

This has seen them expand while others have struggled in the recession.

Craig Bragdy’s Shon Powell, who runs the company with his brother Nick, said: “Sometime ago, the company made a move away from their traditional Middle Eastern locations and began to concentrate on the emerging BRIC economies by taking on an additional sales executive to explore these new markets.

“In doing so, Craig Bragdy have managed to avoid the economic downturn by focusing on the luxury end of the market and turning their attentions to these international trades.

“This new strategy has seen a 25% increase in sales over the past year.

“We now have a full order book until summer 2014 and are still looking to employ further staff.”

Their progress was praised by First Minister Carwyn Jones when he met the two brothers at the National Eisteddfod held in Denbigh earlier this month.

The company sponsored part of the art exhibition and made the trophy won by the Welsh Learner of the Year at the week-long festival.

Shon Powell commented “The Eisteddfod was a great opportunity for us to showcase who we are and what we do, bringing an awareness

of Craig Bragdy and the employment opportunities we have to more people throughout Wales.”

The brothers told Mr Jones of their latest project – to clad a 25m sphere shaped globe for a news agency headquarters.

Mr Jones was also told 90% of current demand is commissions for swimming pools from wealthy individuals in the Middle East, Russia and America.

Shon Powell added: “Each commission is different, each design is unique, every tile is hand made and all the work is carried out in our Denbigh studios.”

The company have also diversified their product range to include architecturally inspired styles and introducing a new range of interior flower panel products that have already started to prove popular in the UK and abroad.

It is a far cry from when the company started out as a little ceramics firm in the 1950s.

Nick Powell added: “We have a settled workforce here and we also have decent transport connections with Manchester Airport just an hour away, which is vital because 90% of our work goes for export.

“The downsides are that it can be a struggle to recruit skilled staff which would not be such a problem in a city area.

“We could take on another 15 people over the next year if we can find the right people.”